Facing a restless public and roiled markets, US President Donald Trump used a prime-time address to mount a forceful defense of the month-old US-Israeli war on Iran, insisting the military was close to finishing its task even as he renewed threats to bomb the Islamic Republic back to the Stone Age. He spoke for 19 minutes with global oil prices elevated and his own approval ratings sliding. Here are some key takeaways. 1. Searching for a way out - but not yet Even as he argued the US military was moving toward its goals…

New Epstein document dump sharpens scrutiny on Trump’s past ties, adds detail but few conclusions A fresh tranche of U.S. government records tied to Jeffrey Epstein offers new specifics on former President Donald Trump’s proximity to the financier in the 1990s and early 2000s, while underscoring how much remains unverified or sharply disputed. The materials, uneven and heavily redacted, do not alter the public record on Trump’s conduct. Trump has long denied any wrongdoing, and the Justice Department has labeled some of the…